I’ve recently finished a year-long stint on my employer’s “401k Committee”. We’d been searching for a new 401k plan provider in order to lower fees paid by both the company and individuals, as well as increase participants investing options. One thing we quickly learned was that many 401k providers are now offering plans that allow participants to opt out of the administrated, standard mutual-fund plan and fully control their assets using a “self-directed brokerage” option. This, in effect, gives you IRA-like control over your investments while still staying within the plan.